“But it still hurts?”
“To a degree.”
Austin endured Tristan wiping the tears from his face with unbearable care. His actions were so honest, without pity, without judgement.
Austin raised one shaking hand and scrubbed at his own face, erasing the hot tracks tears had carved down his cheeks. “What reward should I have given?”
Tristan’s brow furrowed. “Reward?”
“For the winner of the competition. I was meant to give a reward, yes? What should I have given?”
“The household is to entertain you, not seek rewards. You were not meant to give anything.”
“But it wasexpectedthat I would give one after setting up the competition.”
“No,” Tristan said definitively.
Austin stared, his explosion on the porch rising to the forefront of his mind and turning his cheeks red with shame. “But if I didn’t, wouldn’t it have been a disappointment?”
“No,” Tristan repeated, no less sure.
Austin’s tears stopped. “Are you lying?”
“I am not.”
“I didn’t have to—” He stopped himself.Freak out.
“I assume it was your attendant who mentioned the reward? He’s not from here and is used to different customs. He was mistaken.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. This demand upset you? I can replace him.”
“No.”
Tristan hummed in soft, placating agreement.
Austin’s arms stopped trembling. “I’m hungry.”
???
Chagrined over his behaviour, Austin resolved to eat whatever Tristan brought. He perched in his chaise lounge on the porch, waiting with patience for Tristan to return. He kept an eye out, but he didn’t catch so much as a shadow of anyone from the Troop, or any staff.
He grimaced as he considered they were likely avoiding him, afraid after feeling what his voice could do to them. The thought should have stung more than it did. He was embarrassed enough by his outburst that he was glad not to have to face any of them.
The quiet of the night settled around him, and Austin felt oddly settled too, even in spite of his embarrassment.
Tristan entered the porch holding a plate, and Austin’s eyes widened as Tristan passed beneath the lit lantern and Austin saw the unmistakable cut of white bread from his own world. “You got some!” It was golden brown, yellow butter melting onto the toasted surface.
Tristan sat next to Austin, holding the toast out in offering. “This is the right kind?”
Austin hummed his confirmation, promptly grabbing a slice and devouring it, the sudden surge of appetite catching him off guard. Tristan’s eyes sharpened, snapping down to the plate that held two more slices.
Tristan set it down. “Just a moment,” he murmured.
Austin frowned at his quick departure but understood a few minutes later when Tristan returned with a platter stuffed with food. Austin rolled his eyes but picked up a cracker with cheese, meat and a succulent slice of fruit. He indicated the last slice of toast. “I saved that piece for you.”
He waited for Tristan to take a bite.
